Presently physician and patient came out Dr. Rathby looked serious, but he tried to smile. Mr. DeVere looked serious—but he did not smile. That was the difference.
"Well?" asked Ruth, with a sharp intaking of her breath.
"Nothing serious—at least, so far," was the doctor's verdict. "I think we have taken it in time. There is considerable inflammation of the vocal chords, and they have suffered a partial paralysis."
"As bad as that?" gasped Alice.
"Oh, that isn't half as bad as it sounds!" laughed Dr. Rathby. "I have had cases worse than this. Now, I'll leave you some medicine to be used in an atomizer, as a spray, Mr. DeVere, and I want you—in fact as a doctor I order you—to speak as little as possible. Don't use your voice at all, if you can help it—at least not for several days."
He turned to write a prescription, but was startled at the hoarse cry of expostulation from Mr. DeVere.
"But, doctor!" exclaimed the actor, "I—I——"
"There, now, I told you not to speak!" chided the physician, with upraised finger.
"But I have to! I'm an actor—I'm rehearsing a new part. I must use my voice! It's imperative!"
The doctor seemed startled.